Forth Pilotage Cutter Largo Law (sold out of service 1969)
Seen at North Berwick harbour as a private pleasure yacht

F.P.A Pilot launches :-

F.P.A Pilot Cutters:-

Tiger (Leith).

Lion (Methil).

Leopard (Grangemouth).

Panther (Boness).

Elk (North/South
Queensferry).

Beaver (Burntisland/Kirkaldy).

No1. ,

Largo Law (ex No
2.),

Traprain Law (ex
No.3),

Berwick Law.

The Sea, River and Docking Pilots
within the limits of the Firth of Forth came under the jurisdiction of the Forth
Pilotage Authority, with the exception of the Royal Naval Dockyard at Rosyth -
which was the responsibility of the Kings/Queens harbourmaster;

Each and every Firth of Forth Licensed
Pilot was self-employed, all their earnings being collected into a common pool
and shared out each month, Pilots were stationed at Leith, (26) Grangemouth, (8)
North Queensferry, (1) Burntisland/Kirkaldy, (2) and Methil, (2). The area
administration centre was within the Trinity House of Leith, in the Kirkgate,
this Office later moved to premises just inside the Shore gate of Leith Docks.

Leith had the largest number of
Licensed Pilots, fluctuating usually between twenty two and twenty six, some of
those serving were sixth generation, originating from the small fishing
community of Newhaven-on-Forth, which at one time was known by the poetic name
of OurLady's Port of Grace, situated between Leith
and Granton.

Grangemouth at the upper reaches of the
Forth had eight Pilots, North Queensferry, one, Burntisland/Kirkcaldy two and
Methil two.

The Leith Pilot Look-out Station,
situated at the Imperial Dock Basin, was a self contained operations centre,
with a look-out room which covered an unrestricted view by powerful telescope
from Gullane Bay in the East, though North, including Inchkeith and Burntisland,
to the Oxcar Lighthouse, and Granton Harbour in the West.

For the convenience of Pilots being
landed from ships, either in-bound from the North Sea or out-bound from up
river, Grangemouth, Boness etc; and unable to return home until public transport
had re-started there was a custom built bunk-room providing sleeping
accommodation with all domestic facilities.

A fully equipped engineering workshop,
with resident Engineer Superintendent, was incorporated, all of the Pilot
Sea-going Cutters and Launches being serviced in house, during this period all
marine engines fitted were supplied by Kelvin Engines of Dobbie's Loan, Glasgow.

Boarding and Landing launches were
operated from Leith, Grangemouth, North Queensferry, Burntisland and Methil, the
Leith Launch also serviced the Inchkeith Pilot Cutter with provisions and took
Pilots to and from that Station.

Three sea-going Pilot Cutters covered
the two out stations, one vessel always being moored at Leith during the crew
rest week and for routine servicing, and as an emergency back-up vessel: the
other two craft spent one week at Inchkeith one week at North Berwick on a
system of rotation, the first two week cycle at sea being the Inchkeith or Inner
Station.

The Cutter lay at a mooring buoy on the
East side to watch for inward bound ships showing a signal requiring a Pilot, in
the event of adverse weather the Cutter lay in the small harbour on the West
side of the Island and the Pilots continued their watch up in the Lighthouse
which also afford greater distance of visibility.

The second at the Bass Rock or outer
station, although known as the Bass Rock station the Pilot Cutter usually lay in
North Berwick Harbour for about three hours before to three hours after high
water, with a look-out keeping watch, they then spent the remaining low tide
period at a mooring close to the east side of Fidra Island, during which time a
constant watch was being kept for ships requiring a Pilot or to land a Pilot.

The Cutters had a permanent crew of
three, Skipper, Engineer and Cook/Steward, invariably drawn from the fishing
community, these were always considered locally as being 'plum' jobs and much
sought after, most crews serving continuously for many years until retirement.

During the summer months, although away
from home, conditions were
reasonably pleasant, but during winter it could be very arduous: The third week
spent at the Leith base required the crew to service the boat and carry out any
running repairs and ensuring being ready for the next tour of duty.

The Firth of Forth Pilot Stations were
known as the 'Bass' - named after the Bass Rock near the outer limits of the
Pilotage district, the Cutter serving this area lay at a mooring on the East
side of Fidra Island, close to North Berwick Harbour where Outward Pilots were
landed after bringing shps from Leith or Grangemouth - and Inward Pilots
embarked after returning from taking ships to any of the Ports as far as
Grangemouth, the other station being known as Inchkeith, approximately half way
into the Firth of forth.

A constant look out watch was
maintained and any vessel seen to be flying the International code flag 'G',
indicating - 'I require a Pilot' - became the focus of attention, prior to Radio
communication, the Cutter immediately set off to meet the ship half way across
the Firth, which at the Bass station was up to ten miles and from Inchkeith not
much more than two/three miles.

During the pre ship-to-ship radio
telephone era many ships did give an approximate time of arrival through their
local agents although just as many turned up quite unexpectedly. The Pilot only
learned where the ship was bound-for upon boarding, most of the Leith Pilots
were Licensed to take a ship to or from any Dock or Harbour within the Firth of
Forth limits, and if obliged to anchor, a Docking Pilot had to take over upon
arriving at the Port in question.

Several unrecorded incidents surrounding these Pilot
vessels show actions of bravery where some of the crew members were engaged in
attempts to save life. A Pilot Launch man, Andrew MacIntyre lost his life
attempting to save a Lighthouse Keeper from Inchkeith Lighthouse, who, after a
few hours shore leave, was being taken from Leith to Inchkeith.

It was assumed at the subsequent
enquiry the Light Keeper had fallen overboard and MacIntyre made some heroic
attempt to rescue him, the Pilot Launch 'TIGER', was located and picked up
several miles to the East of Inchkeith the following morning, with the engine
still running, in neutral gear, but no sign of either men.... a tragic case
amongst the many mysteries of the sea, which happened during the early 1930's,
long before the advent of radio communication being fitted to small craft.

An equally sad and no less tragic incident occurred when
the Engineer of the Pilot Cutter 'BERWICK LAW', Seaton Noble, who was the
brother of the Skipper William Noble, was accidentally lost, presumed drowned,
whilst on passage from North Berwick to Leith after their two week tour of sea
duty, it has only been assumed Seton Noble fell overboard and was not posted
missing until the boat was about to enter Leith, his body was never found even
after extensive searching was carried out, one outcome of the enquiry decreed
that safety rails and chains had to be fitted round the after end of all such
craft.

Many of these vessels have been sold out of service, it is
understood Pilot Cutter No. 1 is still being used as a private Yacht, as with
the Largo Law, Traprain Law and the Berwick Law. When these boats were built
nobody involved ever foresaw the ultimate ownership and usage, no doubt they
give much pleasure to the present owners, though with a little insight to the
background could they ever have visualised the worthy career their cherished
boat had been through.